M.S. in Computer Science
The Master of Science in Computer Science aims at encouraging the discovery and transmission of knowledge, the education of students, the training of future faculty, and the general wellbeing of society. The program provides a broad foundation of study in computer science combined with in-depth study in four concentration areas.
Graduate work in computer science involves the study of the development of physical and theoretical design and understanding of computer systems, as well as the implementation of those developments into everyday life.
Graduates of the master’s program may become researchers, computer systems analysts, computer systems administrators, and take up many other careers in the industry.
The program is balanced in breadth and depth in support of the department’s research thrust areas. Recognizing different needs, LAU offers two plans—one with a thesis option and one with a project option. Both require 30 credits of course work that are offered at night.
Admission requirements
In addition to the admission requirements that are explicitly stated in the graduate admissions page, CSC310 Algorithms and Data Structures is a required course from students who have a non-computer science degree. It may be taken as a remedial course after admission.
Curriculum
The graduate curriculum requires one core course that is fundamental to the study of computer science. Students, however, will have three additional courses, one from each area. The four concentration areas are:
- Algorithms, Theory and Computational Science
- Systems
- Hardware and Networks
- Software Engineering
The remaining courses may be chosen from any of the four areas without restrictions. The graduate program also offers an advanced “Topics” course that may be taken more than once, to let students gain even more in-depth knowledge in a particular area. This course may be repeated for credits more than once.
Students need 30 credits of major courses (12 credits for the core, one course from each area, three credits for the project, or six credits for the thesis, and 12 or 15 credits of electives).
I. Core requirements (12 credits)
Four three-credit courses: one from each of the four concentration areas listed below. CSC711 Design and Analysis of Algorithms is mandatory from the first area.
II. Project or thesis option (3 or 6 credits)
| Number | Course | Cr |
|---|---|---|
| CSC798 | Project | 3 |
| CSC799 | Thesis | 6 |
III. Electives from four concentration areas (12 or 15 credits)
A. Algorithms, Theory and Computational Science
| Number | Course | Cr |
|---|---|---|
| CSC711 | Design and Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
| CSC712 | Automata Theory and Formal Languages | 3 |
| CSC713 | Bioinformatics | 3 |
| CSC714 | Heuristic Optimization | 3 |
| CSC715 | Machine Learning | 3 |
| CSC716 | Cryptography and Data Security | 3 |
B. Systems
| Number | Course | Cr |
|---|---|---|
| CSC721 | Transaction Processing Systems | 3 |
| CSC722 | Distributed Systems | 3 |
| CSC723 | Knowledge-Based Systems | 3 |
| CSC724 | Data Mining | 3 |
| CSC725 | System Simulation | 3 |
| CSC726 | Compilers | 3 |
C. Hardware and Networks
| Number | Course | Cr |
|---|---|---|
| CSC731 | High Performance Computer Architecture | 3 |
| CSC732 | ULSI Testing | 3 |
| CSC733 | Embedded Systems | 3 |
| CSC734 | Advanced Computer Networks | 3 |
| CSC736 | Networks Security | 3 |
| CSC737 | Pervasive Computing and Wireless Networking | 3 |
D. Software Engineering
| Number | Course | Cr |
|---|---|---|
| CSC791 | Advanced Software Engineering | 3 |
| CSC792 | Object-Oriented Software Engineering | 3 |
| CSC793 | Software Testing and Analysis | 3 |
| CSC794 | Software Quality Assurance | 3 |
| CSC795 | Safety-Critical Systems | 3 |
| CSC796 | Human–Computer Interaction | 3 |
| CSC788 | Advanced Topics in Computer Science (in any of the four concentration areas). May be repeated. |
Duration
This program can be completed in two years.
Location
This program is offered in Beirut and Byblos.
More about this program
- Mission, objectives and intended outcomes
- Graduate Student Guide
- Application for Graduate Assistantship